Fayyaz calls for unity among reformers after Nasheed meeting
The meeting comes as both Fayyaz and Nasheed have expressed interest in contesting the 2028 presidential election.
Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Chairman Fayyaz Ismail has said the Maldives can only move forward if all individuals working for reform collaborate.
Fayyaz made the statement in a post on X following a lunch meeting with former President Mohamed Nasheed and members of the Democrats on Monday.
"Thank you so much for the lunch with President Nasheed and the Democrats. We had a very broad exchange of views on the changes in the political landscape and the work ahead. The country can only be put back on track by all reformers working together," Fayyaz wrote.
The meeting comes as both Fayyaz and Nasheed have expressed interest in contesting the 2028 presidential election. Fayyaz announced his candidacy last year, while Nasheed made his intentions known two weeks ago.
Talks between the two take place amid speculation over a possible merger between the MDP and the Democrats. In April, Nasheed called for the two parties to come together, a move Fayyaz welcomed publicly.
Nasheed left the MDP on 21 June 2023 following a series of internal disagreements with then President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. The rift between Nasheed and Solih began during Solih’s administration, culminating in a contested MDP primary in 2023, which Solih won. Nasheed alleged irregularities in the voters list during the primary process.
Following the split, Nasheed formed the Democrats. Observers have pointed to Nasheed’s departure from the MDP as a significant factor contributing to the party’s loss in the 2023 presidential election.
While Nasheed and Fayyaz are currently engaged in discussions, tensions between Nasheed and Solih remain unresolved. There are also internal divisions within the MDP regarding its next presidential candidate. Although Solih has not publicly declared his intentions, there is speculation that he may also seek the party’s 2028 presidential ticket.
